InTheBite

New iPhone SOS Emergency Feature is Great for Boaters

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Do not abandon your EPIRB or PLB yet, they are still the best way to sed an SOS in an emergency at sea (or land too). The EPIRB is waterproof, automatic and is required by design to transmit a rescue signal for a minimum of 24 hours at full power while floating on the water or onboard a boat, life raft, etc. There is no fee to use an EPIRB and no subscription. It is an official worldwide service operated by governments and international rescue authorities.

The newest Apple iPhone 14 was recently introduced and, as usual, has many improvements over the previous models. While many of us do not go out and buy a new iPhone just because a new model is available, this time boaters may want to rethink. The iPhone 14 has a Satellite SOS feature that could work in a boating emergency! Apple added an impressive feature called Emergency SOS via satellite connectivity to its all-new iPhone 14 lineup.

What Is Emergency SOS via Satellite on iPhone 14 Series?

There are many regions where cellular towers cannot be reached. Connectivity in these areas can be achieved by communication satellites, hundreds of miles above the Earth. However, limited bandwidth is a major challenge, making it difficult to even send a text message or make a call. To overcome this, traditional satellite phones feature advanced technology, leading to bulky form factor and large external antennas as compared to a sleek and compact smartphone.

With the new iPhone 14, if you are outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and cannot connect to cellular emergency SOS services, your iPhone AUTOMATICALLY attempts to connect you to the required assistance through a satellite connection. This built-in service shows where to point your phone to establish a satellite connection and how to stay connected as the satellite moves during the message transmission and dialogue with rescue authorities.

Because the bandwidth of iPhone to satellite connection is not capable of standard messaging protocols (SMS), Apple created a custom short text compression algorithm to reduce the size of messages to one-third of the actual data size. A satellite text message may take 15 seconds to a minute to be sent in perfect conditions with a direct view of the sky. This satellite feature is currently ONLY for specialized text messages to a Apple rescue center. Voice phone calls using satellite connection are not available nor are traditional texting to friends using the satellite connection.

What happens once the Apple rescue center receives your SOS?

Once Apple receives the SOS information, they relay your SOS to the appropriate emergency services. Once you are connected to them, you can start a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing your Medical ID and emergency contact information, along with the emergency questionnaire answers. Additionally, your location details and remaining battery percentage can also be shared to authorities.

Supported iPhones and Regions for iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite

While this feature is a powerful addition to the iPhone, its availability is subject to a few conditions. Here is the official information that Apple has provided but may change as the system matures:

Supported Devices: An iPhone 14 or later running the latest iOS 16 update. (Exception: If you purchased iPhone 14 in China mainland, Hong
Kong, or Macao, you will not have access to the feature)

Supported Regions: The U.S. and Canada (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) as well as international travelers visiting the U.S. and Canada could use Emergency SOS via satellite, except if they bought their phone in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao.

Exceptions: Emergency SOS via Satellite is not available in: Guam or American Samoa and Places above 62° latitude like northern parts of Alaska. This satellite service is provided by Globalstar, a familiar name with boaters.

Sadly, you cannot use the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature right away. It will be available in November 2022 with an iOS 16 software update. Moreover, this is a premium service. But the good news is that iPhone 14 users can access it for free for the first two years.

Business-minded boaters will be interested to learn that Apple is investing in Globalstar by covering 95% of the capital expenditures made by Globalstar to build up its network, including new satellites, to provide the service. Apple will require Globalstar to allocate 85% of its “current and future network capacity” to support the SOS service. It looks like Apple is in the satellite business for the long haul.

This new iPhone SOS feature might just be the reason to upgrade your smartphone, though do not give up on your trusty EPIRB!

Access to ROFFS Through the FREE Mazu Sportfishing App

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Download your ROFFS fishing forecast hot spots while offshore with the free mazu SportFishing app. The detailed sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll, current and altimetry charts in the mazu SportFishing app, combined with overlaid ROFFS data is a powerful tool. Elevate your offshore angling with access to ROFFS comprehensive descriptions and information directly through the app. Visit www.mazu-marine.com for details!

Mazu Sportfishing App: Access or Download ROFFS Reports When Offshore

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Download the FREE mazu SportFishing app and you can view and download your ROFFS fishing forecast hot spots while offshore. ROFFS data is digitally overlaid directly onto detailed sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll, current and altimetry charts in the mazu SportFishing app for iPad. Captains and crew also have access to ROFFS comprehensive descriptions and information directly through the app. Visit www.mazu-marine.com for details and to download the app!

InTheBite Dock Talk: Mazu Marine Sportfishing

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InTheBite Dock Talk— The new Mazu Marine Sportfising App: An all in one marine solution for satellite imagery, boat monitoring, staying connected offshore and much more. The Mazu system consists of an App and a hardware system that can be used anywhere– the hardware makes it possible to stay in contact while beyond cellphone coverage.  Learn all about the wide ranging system and their great introductory offer as well as the many reasons Mazu can be a great addition to your boat.

CLICK to DOWNLOAD MAZU SPORTFISHING

 

InTheBite Dock Talk: Explorer Satellite

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Satellite communications are perfect for offshore sportfishing when faced with no other alternative once away from land-based cellular/GSM networks.

Explorer Satellite keeps you equipped at sea, selling systems and service that work even in the most demanding weather and sea conditions.  Depending on the application, one or several solutions may make the most sense.

 

Learn more in this edition of Dock Talk with Explorer Satellite owner, Andy Cool –

Coast Guard Look To Improve 911 System For Boaters

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News From:

SPRINGFIELD, Va., Dec. 31, 2018 – A sign of the times, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that it’s common for recreational boaters today to use cellphones to call during a boating emergency. While Boat Owners Association of The United States urges every vessel to have a working VHF radio with DSC (digital selective calling), the nation’s recreational boating advocacy, services and safety group also recognizes that cellphones are firmly embedded in boaters’ lives. But what happens when a boater tries to call 911 for emergency or routine on water assistance? Will the call go to the closest, most relevant rescue agency for a swift response?

Unfortunately that’s not always the case. But a provision in the recently passed Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization of Act of 2018 aims to improve reliability of the 911 system when recreational boaters need emergency help. In an effort to ensure timely dispatch of the closest potential rescue asset or on-water assistance provider, the Act requires the U.S. Coast Guard to review its policies and procedures to “formulate a national maritime Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) policy.” There are more than 6,000 PSAPs in the U.S. – local 24/7 call centers with trained dispatchers that receive 911 emergency telephone calls and route them to the proper emergency service.

“This effort will help minimize the possibility of maritime calls being improperly routed and to assure the U.S. Coast Guard is able to effectively carry out its maritime search-and-rescue mission,” said Tina Cardone, executive director of the Conference of Professional Operators for Response Towing (C-PORT). C-PORT members, made up of on-water towing industry companies from across the country, contributed to the legislative effort. This included TowBoatUS Mystic owner Capt. Jeff Dziedzic.

“This was a grass-roots effort by many and took years of working with U.S. Coast Guard and elected officials,” said Capt. Dziedzic. “We care about this because of our occasional role in responding to life-threating events as good Samaritans, as well as answering calls for more routine requests for assistance.”

In a video recently captured from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Capt. Dziedzic’s local congressman, thanked the captain for bringing the issue to his attention.

BoatUS also thanks the leadership of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.) and Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.).

Additional TowBoatUS C-PORT members joining the effort included Capt. Chad Noetzel, TowBoatUS Port Huron, Michigan; Capt. Terry Hill, TowBoatUS Potomac, Virginia, Capt. Richard Paul, TowBoatUS Cape Coral, Florida; and Capt. Chris Shaffner, TowBoatUS Palm Beach, Florida.